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Mentors and Mentoring:

The Key to Professional Success

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING IF YOU MENTORS. We all seek the mentor had ever experienced. I knew at that
ARE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE. who will support our future goals, for point I was in way over my head. On
Most would agree the “college we know of the vital importance of top of this came a curriculum with a
years” are not only a critical part of the this professional new complicated
intellectual journey, but also a major and personal con- Teachers come and go, language called
influence in the development and nection. “music theory”
reinforcement of every individual’s Not all teachers but MENTORS become part along with the
philosophical perspective. Many are mentors, but of our fabric, members challenge of
people base their university choice on certainly all men- of our families, and their ear training. Of
the mission statement of the school, tors are teachers, course, this was
or because it has a particular church whether by intent thoughts are evident in all wrapped in
affiliation, or it is recognized for a or by simply being every decision we make. the humbling
certain degree program, etc. role models. To realization many
Music students, on the other be specific (by definition): of my freshmen colleagues were well
hand, often make their college TEACHER: A person who versed and proficient in all these
selection based on the relationship teaches or instructs, especially as areas. Needless to say, the “fight-or-
(or anticipated relationship) with an a profession; an instructor. flight” instinct kicked in immediately.
individual —a studio teacher (who MENTOR: A wise and trusted The steep learning curve seemed
actively recruited the young artist) counselor or teacher; an influential insurmountable and the idea of simply
or an ensemble director (who met senior supporter and sponsor. admitting defeat and heading back
the high school student while guest Perhaps we never truly appreciate to my father’s furniture refinishing
conducting) or via a recommendation our mentors except in hindsight; how shop appeared to be a logical choice,
by the student’s high school music could we? Their above-and-beyond- perhaps the only choice.
instructor. While others will link their the-call-of-duty investment in our After a week of collegiate “baptism
college years to a particular institution futures is often lost in our own eager by fire,” the only thing that kept me
(“I’m an Ohio State grad.” “I’m proud anticipation to reach our personal on campus was my inability to come
to be a Longhorn.”), the music world goals. Then we look back to see our up with a defense mechanism strong
tends to identify with their mentors mentors were there opening doors- enough to offset the embarrassment of
(“I’m a John Paynter student.” “I of-opportunity that otherwise would returning to the predictable response
studied with Himie Voxman.”). Not not have been recognized by our own from those in our everyone-knows-
only is this a unique aspect of our limited viewpoint. everyone community: We told you so!
profession, but it also amplifies the PERSONAL STORY: It was the fall We knew you couldn’t last!!. Dejected,
importance of carefully reviewing and of 1965 and the notion of leaving our defeated, and in a state of hopeless
selecting the right teacher/professor. small farming community to enter unknowing, I walked into the music
There is more to being a music college was ominous. Walking into building to attend another class where
educator than simply “going to school the first marching band rehearsal at I would once again be reminded of my
and completing a degree program.” Ball State University provided an even inadequacies as I watched my dream
Musicians create lifelong relationships more frightening wake-up call; it was of being a band director evaporate
with their colleagues, teachers and the most incredible sound my ears right in front of my eyes.

Bandmasters Review • June 2019 17 Texas Bandmasters Association